Lawton schools explain virtual weather days, makeup dates and staggered parent-teacher conferences
Loading...
Summary
District leaders said recent Oklahoma weather prompted virtual instruction for several days; students will return in person Feb. 13 to make up one missed day and parent-teacher conferences are staggered by level to improve attendance and teacher availability.
Lawton Public Schools told listeners on its podcast that the district used virtual instruction during recent Oklahoma winter weather and laid out plans for making up missed days and for parent-teacher conferences.
The superintendent explained that virtual instruction was chosen for safety and to avoid damage to parking areas and equipment. He said the district weighed costs and staffing: "we got 1 skid steer... our people aren't trained to do that" and that preparing for a catastrophic ice event is not a cost the district is willing to carry every year. He also noted state law changes could affect the ability to use virtual days in future years, which would require missed days to be made up.
Hosts announced a specific in-person makeup date: students will be back on Friday, Feb. 13. The superintendent reiterated that Feb. 16 will remain a no-school, no-work day for staff (Presidents' Day).
On family engagement, hosts said the district staggers parent-teacher conferences by level (high school this week, middle next week, elementary the following week) so parents can attend grade-specific meetings and teachers have a better chance to attend their own children’s conferences.
District leaders asked families to check communications for calendar updates and said they will post details online.
